Chamber warns Prime Minister; links sink business!

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The Star (St.Lucia)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2018

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CHAMBER WARNS PRIME MINISTER

LEAKS SINK BUSINESS! There has hardly been a document addressed to the government that took office in 2016 that was not leaked to our insatiable media. It’s unclear what motivated the Chamber’s executive director Mr. Brian Louisy (pictured) to address the problem this week!

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02 LOCAL

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GETTING TO KNOW YOU

By Michael Walker

City scene.

A

new inter-active series of programmes from IETV to engender pride in our nation by promoting literacy and local general knowledge. The series can be viewed on channels 118 (FLOW), 102 (Karib analogue), 32 (LIME) and on NTN. 1. This river is called a. the Dennery River. b. the Vieux Fort River. c. the Castries River.

2. The road that runs alongside the river and disappears at the top of the picture is called a. Hospital Road. b. Bridge Street. c. Brazil Street.

3. The road that disappears in the top left-hand corner leads

a. part of the Central Police Station. b. part of M&C Home Depot. c. part of the Victoria Hospital.

6. The tall building houses a. The Port Authority. b. The Prime Minister’s Office. c. The Criminal Investigation Division.

7. The river flows into a. the sea by Sandals La Toc. b. the Castries Harbour. c. the Choc Bay. 8. The vehicles parked on the left bank of the river a. belong to fishers. b. belong to hospital workers. c. belong to transport services.

9. Almost all the roads

a. to Gros Islet. b. to the top of the Morne. c. to Marigot.

4. The road where many cars are parked is a. a one-way street. b. a cul de sac. c. an access road to the harbour.

a. are one-way. b. are dead ends. c. have traffic in both directions.

10. This area may be classified as a. business and commercial. b. residential. c. military.

5. The buildings in the bottom left corner are

AUGUST 25, 2018 THE STAR

DIGICEL CONTINUES TO PROVIDE SECONDARY SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS TO SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS

D

igicel St. Lucia continues to demonstrate its commitment to Education and Youth Development, as the company provides scholarships to children around the island for the upcoming 2018-2019 academic year.

The programme, now in its fourth year, saw the eleven successful students each receive financial support towards their schooling; additionally, they each received a school bag and exercise books for the new school year, courtesy of Digicel.

The recent scholarship awards ceremony, which was held at the Marina Haven Hotel, saw Digicel’s cricket endorsee, Johnson Charles, a member of the West Indies Cricket Team, present. He encouraged the students to continue working hard and giving their best.

in the future.”

James-Alexander further congratulated all the other successful candidates in the 2018 Common Entrance Examinations and wished them all the best in the upcoming school year.

Under the Digicel Scholarship programme, which started in 2015, staff members were given the opportunity Digicel’s fresh batch of scholarship holders with to nominate hard-working, country manager Siobhan James-Alexander (far right) successful students from their and Sanovnik Destang (far left), Executive Director of community who were most Bay Gardens Resorts, owner of Marina Haven. deserving of a scholarship

Digicel’s Country Manager, also for the future development from Digicel. The Digicel Scholarship programme is a Siobhan James-Alexander, of the country. For these while addressing the students, reasons, we continue to provide five year scholarship, provided scholarships to those who need the recipients maintain an congratulated them on average of sixty per cent at the succeeding at the Common it the most and we are proud Entrance Examination. She to say that Digicel has awarded end of each school year. The programme currently has ten said, “Digicel understands that hundreds of scholarships over each Saint Lucian child having the years. We are committed to students from among the first cohort who are now on their the people of Saint Lucia and an education is important, not just for them as individuals, but we will continue to assist them way to form 4.

St. Lucian Culinary Team Emerges Champion at Caribbean Junior Duelling Challenge

K

arina Abraham and Cheyenne Hippolyte, students of the Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School, represented Saint Lucia in the Caribbean Junior Duelling Challenge and delivered a spectacular performance that ultimately won the hearts of the judges and earned them high praise from the audience and other participants in the event.

Prior to their victory in Barbados, Karina and Cheyenne had been crowned champions in the final leg of the 2018 Chefs in Schools Competition sponsored by the SLHTA’s Tourism Enhancement Fund, which was held on June 15 at the Ciceron Secondary School.

This qualified them to represent their country at the Caribbean Junior Duelling Challenge which was held August 14-19.

The competition was the highlight of the Caribbean Junior Culinary Conference (CJCC), a seven-day event which also featured workshops and presentations on culinary techniques by respected industry professionals. Junior teams from seven Caribbean islands participated in this year’s competition, from the Cayman Islands, Trinidad & Tobago, Dominica, Grenada, St. Croix, Barbados and Saint Lucia.

Saint Lucia’s dynamic duo came away with the Caribbean Junior Duelling Challenge trophy, thereby making them

the overall winners of the competition. They also captured gold medals in the first two rounds, which required the teams to cook and present a national dish in the first round and a dish from a mystery basket in the second round.

During their stay in Barbados the two victors were accompanied by their culinary arts teacher, Nashanka Henry and Wendel George, Projects Coordinator of the Saint Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association’s Tourism Enhancement Fund.

On their return to Saint Lucia on Monday August 20, Karina and Cheyenne received a heroine’s welcome from the SLHTA. The association hosted a reception in their honour at the Bay Gardens Beach Resort where they were showered with accolades and commendations by representatives of the SLHTA and other industry stakeholders.

The reception turned out to be a joyous occasion for the two young culinary stars who both expressed their delight at winning the Caribbean Junior Duelling Challenge, and the pride they felt at being able to represent Saint Lucia at the competition. They said they gave it their all and felt very satisfied with their performance and the results.

“The competition was very exciting and challenging but we overcame the pressure and we brought the gold home. We’re

Karina Abraham and Cheyenne Hippolyte (front left and right respectively) holding their winning trophy as they celebrate culinary excellence.

very proud,” said Karina. “We performed exceptionally well and we were consistent. We set standards for ourselves and we were able to rise to those standards in every round of the competition."

In addition to the Saint Lucia team’s glorious win, the SLHTA has been invited to host the Caribbean Junior Duelling Challenge in 2019. Wendel says the association welcomes the opportunity to host the event and believes it will provide tremendous benefits to the local tourism and hospitality industry, and Saint Lucia as a whole.

“It is going to be very beneficial to the hoteliers, the local vendors and the Saint Lucian people in general. We’re going to have teams from seven or eight islands coming to Saint Lucia to participate in what has become a major culinary event

in the Caribbean. A wide range of businesses, including local food and beverage suppliers, restaurants and shopping malls, will benefit as a result of the competition being held in Saint Lucia. We believe that this is the time for us to take this amazing competition to another level and really push the culinary arts in Saint Lucia. Public interest in culinary arts is really picking up, especially among the youths, and people are always looking forward to the competitions.

More students are becoming aware of the culinary arts and increasingly they want to take it up academically and participate in the SLHTA Chefs in Schools programme. This means that the SLHTA now has an even bigger responsibility to really push that agenda on the heels of all the awards that we’ve already won,” said Wendel.

Answers: 1 c, 2 a, 3 b, 4 a, 5 a, 6 c, 7 b, 8 c, 9 a, 10 a.

THE STAR

AUGUST 25, 2018

www.stluciastar.com

How Many More Vehicles Can St. Lucia’s Roads Handle?

LOCAL

1ST NATIONAL BANK MAKES HISTORY WITH 100% FINANCED MORTGAGES

Traffic jams like these have become a daily occurrence in Saint Lucia.

Joshua St. Aimee

A

s any driver knows, traffic in Castries is the mother of all nightmares.

Accidents are sometimes to blame but too often the congestion is a consequence of too many vehicles on our roads.

Over the past five years, vehicle imports have dramatically increased. Figures from the Statistics Department indicate a total of 1,108 vehicles (new and used) were imported in 2013.

In 2014, that number grew to 1,286. In 2015 and 2016, it climbed to 1,562 and 2,231 respectively. Last year saw 2,797 vehicles being imported, marking an increase of over 150% in just five years.

In 2001, the Environmental Protection Levy was passed.

This legislation imposed a fee on the import of goods, including new and used motor vehicles. The importation of new vehicles carried an additional charge of EC$1,000 while the fee imposed on used vehicles ranged from EC$6,000 to $12,000. These charges were subsequently removed. Per the Customs & Excise Department's website, vehicle imports are subject to an import duty, excise tax, service charge and value added tax.

The STAR spoke with a representative of one of the leading car dealerships on-island about the situation.

He indicated that the demand

for cars in Saint Lucia is high, especially due to the current bus system. "Everybody needs to be moved from one place to the next but the bus system in this country doesn’t really exist; it’s really at the behest of one driver or another. If the buses are not reliable, people are forced to find a personal transportation solution."

He agreed that there is indeed a congestion problem and that there are two contributing factors. "The lack of a bus system causes more private vehicles on the road.

The system is not working well.

People need cars so they buy them and businesses import cars to satisfy that demand."

The other factor, the representative explained, is called the grey market. "You have what we call the “greymarket” which is importing used cars from all over the world. We new-car dealerships are very heavily regulated and scrutinized as to what we’re bringing in. On the flip side of the coin you have this grey market, which is completely unregulated doing what they want, how they want and when they want!

"I think it’s quite obvious where the problem lies. If it’s not controlled sometime soon, we’ll have severe problems."

Solution to the congestion problem, he advised, "lies partly in investment in the infrastructure, regulation directed at the biggest

contributors and creative outof-the-box thinking."

As to whether a limit should be placed on the number of cars an individual could import, the dealer indicated: "Before that is looked at, the grey market needs to be looked at and some restrictions imposed."

Apart from the inconvenience experienced by drivers due to this ongoing congestion, there is also the issue of road deterioration.

The dealership, while acknowledging that road damage is inevitable, believes that there is a need for more, and timely maintenance: "The roads are there for the vehicles and naturally we will always have problems with our roads.

When the problems arise they need to be addressed from day one. Roads everywhere in the world need to be maintained."

The representative added: "One could argue that there ought to be a correlation between the revenue that is derived from motor vehicles and the maintaining and building of the infrastructure.

There's the import duty, the tax on petroleum and diesel, and registration of the vehicle.

That's an awful amount of money but there doesn’t seem to be any direct correlation."

Stay tuned for more in this on-going series where this newspaper highlights road congestion and its effects on the island's productivty.

03

L

ocals and Residents who have aspirations of owning their home, but have found it challenging to come up with the required deposit can now breathe a sigh of relief.

1st National Bank, the country’s first indigenous Bank has designed a special promotion where potential home owners can get a mortgage that is financed at 100%. This is the first time ever in Saint Lucia that a commercial bank has had such an offer in the local market.

“1st National Bank has celebrated many firsts for and with the people of Saint Lucia. Our 100%, zero down Mortgages is intended to, for the first time, make the dream of home ownership a very real possibility”, announced Mr. Johnathan Johannes, the Managing Director for 1st National Bank as he launched the new promotion at the Bank’s headquarters on Friday.

This groundbreaking offer is being rolled out to coincide with another major milestone in the Bank’s history. 1st National Bank is currently celebrating eighty (80) years of serving the people of Saint Lucia.

“We wanted to celebrate this momentous achievement of eight decades of service to our people and nation in a very tangible way that would benefit our current and potential customers. So we designed this offer to target eighty aspiring home owners from first time mortgages or persons who wish to build or buy another home. No one has been left out,” added Johannes

The Bank has designed a family of integrated marketing communications to “share the good news” of this no deposit mortgage offer. It intends to reach every demographic across the country and includes: TV and radio commercials, branded apparel, Social Media, Billboards, Bus graphics, SMS Blasts, Digital and Flyer distribution, posters, flyers and branch branding and signage.

“We want to ensure that everyone knows about this life changing offer.

Home Ownership is arguably one of the most important decisions that anyone can make. It is a symbol of independence; an asset in one’s goal of wealth creation; a legacy to pass on for generations to come and the environment where one of the greatest institutions of society – the family – is nurtured”, added Johannes

The Bank has also noted 100% financed Mortgage offer will be limited to the first 80 applicants to qualify. Customers would need to meet the requisite criteria in order to qualify. Customers can come into any of the Bank’s six branches from Vieux Fort in the south to Rodney Bay, Gros Islet in the North to inquire and apply. For further convenience they can also benefit from the Bank’s Saturday Banking at specific branches.

For more Information about this Story Contact:

Robert Fevrier Executive Manager Marketing & PR 1st National Bank.

Tel: (758) 455 7100 fevrier@1stnationalbankslu.com

04 LOCAL

AUGUST 25, 2018 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Decisions, decisions for Helen’s Healthcare Claudia Eleibox

“

It is no secret that the government has been holding discussions with Cayman Health City,” Prime Minister Chastanet said this week. “Cayman Health City is the only entity that has proposed to do a joint venture with the government.”

But even if the government decides to run with the Cayman Health, there will still be more related decisions to be made.

“Is OK-EU going to be a secondary level hospital,” he went on, “meaning that all the services associated with Victoria Hospital, how we run Victoria, will literally be transferred to OK-EU? The proposal is to look at OK-EU specifically as a tertiary level healthcare system providing services that currently don’t exist in Saint Lucia.”

To transfer secondary level health services to OK-EU would mean relocating staff and patients from VH’s 170-bed

facility to the new hospital, which has 50 less beds. The prime minister said: “People are anticipating more secondary beds after Victoria has been closed down,” and the cost of maintaining a bed at OK-EU would be four to five times what’s charged at Victoria Hospital.”

And what if the government chooses the tertiary level healthcare system as suggested in Cayman Health City’s proposal?

The prime minister said: “The reality is that Saint Lucia’s population by itself cannot sustain a tertiary level hospital.

The only alternative to have a tertiary level hospital is through medical tourism.”

To do that OK-EU would need to provide high enough tertiary level services at a globally competitive price so people would come to Saint Lucia instead of going to other Caribbean islands or Miami for medical treatment.

“If the answer is we don’t believe that’s the case then we have to find a way to cover the additional costs

of moving Victoria into OKEU, an extremely expensive proposition, considering there are no other revenue streams to make up for the additional costs.”

At the naming ceremony of OK-EU, in February 2016, then EU ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Mikael Barford, referencing the operational costs, said: “In my view, whatever options government chooses should not add a burden or restrict access to secondary health services to those in most need.”

He added: “Public-private partnerships, PPP, and service level agreements have proven successful in other countries to open up the healthcare market and make it attractive also for insurance companies and for tourists.”

Then he emphasized, “However, the quality of the facility, equipment and staff of the Owen King EU hospital holds enormous potential for the hospital to earn considerable income and to be self-sustaining . . . This hospital has a sustainable future.”

Advertisement of Application for Grant Rule 15 THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN SUPREME COURT IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE SAINT LUCIA Claim No. SLUHCV2018/ IN THE MATTER of a Grant of Letters of Administration in the Succession of PETER FRANCIS aka PETER FRANCOIS late of Micoud in the Island of Saint Lucia and BEFORE

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APPLICANT :

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet said on Monday, “The plan was always to close down Victoria.”

But while the government tries to decipher how to incorporate OK-EU into Saint Lucian healthcare, the prime minister insists, “At Victoria we have several options.”

Those include the possibility of upgrading the National Mental Wellness Centre to the “new Victoria” by putting in at least 100 new beds.

Another idea is to downgrade Victoria Hospital to a polyclinic and shut down the health centre on Chausee Road in Castries.

The prime minister offered even another: “Why not fix up the healthcare centre on the Chausee and add a police substation next to it because you’ve got the space to be

able to do that? The fact is that people like that location.”

Whatever the decision, Chastanet said, “The numbers will help tell a lot of the story. I think that if you were to take a vote of the staff, nobody wants to stay at Victoria . . . It’s never been associated with excellence . . . The plan was always to close down Victoria.”

As for St Jude Hospital, no updates have been provided since works ceased on roofing at the George Odlum Stadium.

On Monday the prime minister said that with the addition of the new mini hospital in Soufriere and the polyclinic in Dennery, “I will be announcing very soon the plans for St Jude’s where we’re

proposing to do minimum 70-100 beds . . . [it all] needs to add up to more beds than what we have at Victoria.”

Said the prime minister about the government’s timeline for a health sector overhaul: “It’s a very tight deadline. The goal is that we’re going to have a White Paper out by late September, October.

“We want to be able to have a final agreement on the structure of health care by the end of this year. And we want to have the new regulations drafted and approved in parliament before May/June. And then we want to be able to implement the new health insurance and the new processes within healthcare by the end of 2019.”

THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT (1) JOHN FRANCIS (2) PHILOMENE FRANCIS acting herein and represented by their duly appointed Attorney CUTHBERT HENRY

TAKE NOTICE that an application for a Grant of Letters of Administration has been filed by (1) JOHN FRANCIS and PHILOMENE FRANCIS acting herein and represented by their duly appointed Attorney Cuthbert Henry as appears by Power of Attorney dated 9th January 2018 and registered on 31st January 2018 in the Land Registry as Instrument No. PA 81/2018, the applicants who are the lawful children of PETER FRANCIS aka PETER FRANCOIS, Deceased, late of Desruisseaux, Micoud, Saint Lucia, the Deceased having died intestate on the 12th day of May 1959.

Any person having an objection to the grant of Letters of Administration to the Applicants shall file an objection within 14 days of the publication of this Notice.

Dated this 24th day of August, 2018.

This Notice is filed by the Law Offices of Oswald Wilkinson Larcher & Associate Legal Practitioner for the Petitioner whose address for service is Maison DuBonaire, John Compton Highway, Castries, Telephone Number 452-4555.

The Court office is at La Place Carenage, Jeremie Street, Castries, St. Lucia, Telephone Number 468-7500 Fax. Number 468-7543. The office is open between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and between 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Fridays except public holidays. The Office can also be contacted via Email at stluhco@eccourts.org.

Y

COCONUT BAY STAGES JOB FAIRS AHEAD OF NEW TOURISM SEASON

oung persons and residents, in the south of the island in particular, will get the opportunity to secure employment at Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa when the resort hosts job fairs on Wednesday September 5 and Friday September, 21, 2018 from 11:00am to 4:00pm on each day. Interested persons are encouraged to attend and participate in the job fairs, which will be held at the hotel.

Candidates are required to attend with their curriculum vitae and supporting certificates, along with two professional references.

Successful individuals must be prepared to work flexible schedules, i.e. night, day, holidays and weekends.

Submission of valid health cards and police records will also be necessary. The full scope of job requirements will be discussed during the interview process.

The upcoming job fairs will provide opportunities for

temporary employment in areas of housekeeping, housemen, laundry attendants, restaurant servers, bartenders, cooks and sanitation workers.

Interested persons are invited to avail themselves during the dates and timeframes outlined above.

Youth and residents in the south are invited to take advantage of this great opportunity to be part of a progressive team and amazing property.

THE STAR

AUGUST 25, 2018

www.stluciastar.com

05

06 LOCAL

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august 25, 2018 THE STAR

THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD REVISITS THE NIGHT HER STEPFATHER IMPREGNATED HER! Keryn Nelson

O

n a particularly hot afternoon, we are seated in the shadiest area of a sun-drenched Serenity Park in Castries: a girl who appears two years younger than her real age, her neatly attired father, flanked by his wife and his sister, the girl’s stepmother and her aunt.

We have chosen to meet at this park whose name suggests an atmosphere of peace, calmness; trouble-free. Alas, the reason for our meeting is so I can hear first-hand details of an horrific nightmare that is responsible for the child’s shocking condition: four months pregnant at age thirteen. For several minutes, she listens in silence, as if in a trance, while the grown-ups introduce themselves to me. Then, for the purposes of this story, she revisits, step by miserable step, the night her young life changed forever.

She recalls the date without any prompting: March 31; a Saturday. As usual, about 10 p.m. her mother left home “to go to karaoke, at Miss Sandra’s place”. She normally returned around 2 a.m. Before she left on the night of horror, she called her boyfriend to say she was about to leave her house and he should come to her home to stay with the children—the then twelve-yearold and her three younger halfsiblings. The girl’s grandmother, who also resides in the house, was spending the night in Castries, where she works.

The horror story continues: “When I go to bed I usually lock the room. But my sister would wake up to go and drink water or something, and then she would not lock the room back.” On the unforgettable occasion, the soon to be prey recalls, “I was lying on my bed.

I felt my pillow shift. I woke up and turned around. I saw him standing in front of me.

He didn’t have a shirt. He said that if I told anyone what he is

going to do me he’s going to kill my family with the gun he has.

I started crying.” Even as she speaks, more tears are running down her face. She stops talking, wipes her face before

She has not spoken with her stepfather since the rape.

“I never really liked him as a stepfather or as the father of my mother’s three other children.”

to take all her things since she would be returning to her mother’s place.”

The girl had been stayng with her father two days when the child’s mother called to

“He told me he was so backed up with work that he wouldn’t be able to record a statement from us that morning; we were invited to return four days later,” the girl’s father

Child explains how she got pregnant: “I was lying on my bed. I felt my pillow shift. I looked up and saw him standing there with no shirt. He pulled down my panty, he got on the bed and pushed his penis inside me . . .” continuing.

“I was on the bed. He pulled down my panty and told me to stay there. Then he pushed his penis inside of me and started having sex with me.

When he left the room, I took my panty from the end of the bed and put it back on. The next morning when I woke up he was just leaving the house to go up the road. I went outside to pee. I removed my panty and never put it on again. I threw it away.”

In the month that followed, the still twelve-year old (she turned 13 on June 1) told her mother she had not had her period. It was not the first time her period was late so they were not alarmed. Her mother decided against going to see a doctor. Another month went by without her period. Again she told her mother about it. The mother subsequently arranged for a check-up but cancelled on the day, the girl says, due to the rain.

Her father gives his version of things: he is employed by a cruise line company based in the United States. He claims his daughter was the main reason he left Saint Lucia in search of greener pastures to benefit them both. At the time his daughter was seven years old.

He left her in the care of her mother, a resident of Saltibus who was sharing her home with her boyfriend (with whom she subsequently had three children) and her mother.

“Twice in 2015 I asked her [the girl’s mother] to let my daughter stay with my mom.

She refused. I was worried for my child. I felt her living conditions were not right for a growing little girl. I knew the police had searched the house for drugs,” says the father.

He received word his daughter was being used to sell snack items, on the mother’s behalf, on the street— when she wasn’t babysitting her siblings.

He visited annually, he said. In July of this year he returned home and rented an apartment at Cedars Heights in Vieux Fort. “On July 16,” he explains, “I went to pick up my daughter and noticed she was removing all her belongings from the house to take with her. I told her she did not have

say their daughter had not had a period in two months. Four days later he took his daughter with him when he went to St. Jude Hospital to have his own regular check-up. That’s how he discovered his child was about to be a mother.

He went on: “I called her mom and asked her to meet me at my mother’s home. I showed her the results of a pregnancy test and demanded an explanation. But she was in shock.”

The burning question then became: Who was the impregnator? The child recalls, indicating her mother and father: “They were asking me who had sex with me.” She says her mother took her aside and, when they were alone, handed her a stick and told her, “If you don’t want to say who had sex with you, write his name in the sand.”

“I just told her that I think it’s my stepfather.”

Her father told me: “I spoke to the mom. I said, ‘Since your daughter said it’s the stepfather that did that, and you have three kids by that very same man, what will you do?’ She said at this point she doesn’t really care what happens to the guy. So I asked her to accompany me to the police station. She refused, at first.”

When finally they went to the Vieux Fort Police Station, there was no one at the Vulnerable Persons Department (VPD). They were questioned by a female officer from the Criminal Investigations Department. Again the thirteen-year-old hinted to her stepfather. The officer advised them to return the following day to see someone at the VPD. They did so on Saturday July 28 and were introduced to a different police officer.

tells me. However, unable to wait that long, he and his daughter revisited the station on Monday, July 30 and demanded attention.

They were reassigned to a female officer but not until August 1 were they interviewed by a police inspector from the Vieux Fort Police Station. The alleged impregnator turned himself in the same day.

“We went into a room,” the girl’s father recalls, “and saw the young man sitting on the chair in the presence of his lawyer, Lorne Theophilus and some other people.”

The thirteen-year-old identified her attacker, and afterward the group retreated to the place the crime had allegedly happened where more drama ensued: the handcuffed suspect asked to use the bathroom. The cuffs were removed but, instead of heading for the toilet, the suspect bolted into the bushes, chased by a police officer.

The suspect remains free.

The father says the last time he checked there were no warrants out for his arrest.

The girl’s father says he has tried to get custody of his daughter but has been unable, for various reasons, to get a court date. Recently he heard from Human Services in Castries. A supervisor advised him that he needed to identify someone with whom he might leave his daughter. His sister has agreed to look after the teenager in his absence.

The father is scheduled to leave for the States next month and has little idea what will happen next. Meanwhile he is worried what the escaped suspect might do to his daughter when no one is around to protect her. Our efforts to reach Mr. Lorne Theophilus proved unsuccessful.

THE STAR

07

www.stluciastar.com

AUGUST 25, 2018

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08 LOCAL

AUGUST 25, 2018 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Castries to receive a facelift

M

ajor changes are on the way for Castries. Already in the pipeline for the city are the installation of parking meters, and the redevelopment of the market and the Bananes Bay area, to name three projects.

While attending the signing of a sister-city agreement between Taiwan and Saint Lucia this past Thursday, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet let drop his plans for the capital.

“I want to warn everyone in advance about some of the necessary changes that are going to be happening in the city,” he said. “We’re about to commence some major renovations of Castries.

One of the things I’m trying to get done as quickly as possible is the demolition of the government’s printery building, the parliament building and the courthouse.

I’m hoping to be able to have

This week the prime minister announced that the current buildings which house the parliament, printery and courthouse will be no more.

that done before the end of this year. The goal is to keep the area as an open space and to develop it as a park.”

The prime minister

revealed that the government is working with the United Nations Office of Project services (UNOPS). “They have all their town planners here

right now. I’m hoping within the upcoming weeks that we’ll have at least a first draft, which we’ll share with the Castries City Council and the

community.”

He continued: “A great city is a city that can change with the times. The support that the Cabinet gives to the mayor

is because we need that change. We have great plans for Castries, it is grossly underachieving its potential.

We can look around the city and know that we’ve not been doing the right thing.

No one can walk through the streets of Castries and not realize we need change.”

Although he didn’t mention the Central Library on his slated for demolition list, the prime minister believes it is a grossly underutilized facility. “I would hope that this could be one of the things that we could look at. As beautiful as is the building of the Central Library, still it requires some major innovation,” said PM Chastanet.

The prime minister’s Senior Communications officer Nicole McDonald advised that the prospective areas for relocation of the buildings will be released at a future date.

--- Joshua St. Aimee

Form P7: Advertisement of Application for Grant Rule 15 THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN SUPREME COURT IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE SAINT LUCIA Claim No. SLUHPB2018/ IN THE MATTER of a Grant of Letters of Administration in the Succession of EDMUND FRANCIS aka EDMUND FRANOIS aka EDMUND FRANCOIS aka late of Manhatten, New York, USA

Advertisement of Application for Grant Rule 15 THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN SUPREME COURT IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE SAINT LUCIA Claim No. SLUHBP2018/ IN THE MATTER of a Grant of Letters of Administration in the Succession of RITA CHARLES aka MARIE ANGELIQUE FRANCOIS aka RITA FRANCIS aka RITTA late of Desruisseaux, Micoud BEFORE

BEFORE

: THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT

APPLICANT : DIANE MARIA FRANCIS

TAKE NOTICE that an application for a Grant of Letters of Administration has been filed

by DIANE MARIA FRANCIS, the applicant who is the lawful grandchild of EDMUND FRANCIS aka EDMUND FRANOIS aka EDMUND FRANCOIS, Deceased, late of 2406 - Eighth Avenue, Manhattan, New York, USA, the Deceased having died intestate on the 31st day of January 1971.

Any person having an objection to the grant of Letters of Administration to the Applicant shall file an objection within 14 days of the publication of this Notice.

Dated this 24th day of August, 2018.

This Notice is filed by the Law Offices of Oswald Wilkinson Larcher & Associate whose address for service is Maison DuBonaire, John Compton Highway, Castries, Telephone Number 452-4555.

The Court office is at La Place Carenage, Jeremie Street, Castries, St. Lucia, Telephone Number 468-7500 Fax. Number 468-7543. The office is open between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and between 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Fridays except public holidays. The Office can also be contacted via Email at stluhco@eccourts.org.

:

APPLICANT :

THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT (1) ANDREA IRIS BAPTISTE nee Charles (2) RACHEL CHARLES aka RACHEL GRIFFITH acting herein and represented by their duly appointed Attorney Joseph Francis

TAKE NOTICE that an application for a Grant of Letters of Administration has been filed by (1) ANDREA IRIS BAPTISTE and (2) RACHEL CHARLES aka RACHEL GRIFFITH acting herein and represented by their duly appointed Attorney Joseph Francis as appears by Power of Attorney dated 18th June 2018 and registered on 2nd July 2018 in the Land Registry as Instrument No. PA 478/2018, the applicants who are the lawful children of RITA CHARLES aka MARIE ANGELIQUE FRANCOIS aka RITA FRANCIS aka RITTA Deceased, late of Desruisseaux, Micoud, Saint Lucia, the Deceased having died intestate on the 30th day of August, 1987.

Any person having an objection to the grant of Letters of Administration to the Applicants shall file an objection within 14 days of the publication of this Notice.

Dated this 24th day of August, 2018.

This Notice is filed by the Law Offices of Oswald Wilkinson Larcher & Associate Legal Practitioner for the Petitioner whose address for service is Maison DuBonaire, John Compton Highway, Castries, Telephone Number 452-4555.

The Court office is at La Place Carenage, Jeremie Street, Castries, St. Lucia, Telephone Number 468-7500 Fax. Number 468-7543. The office is open between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and between 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Fridays except public holidays. The Office can also be contacted via Email at stluhco@eccourts.org.

THE STAR

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august 25, 2018 THE STAR

Border Control Agency In The Works

t a sitting of parliament last month, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet addressed the number of homicides committed last year: “Of the sixty killings, forty of them were gang- and drugrelated. When we see now the implication as to where those drugs and arms are coming from, Venezuela is very high on the list.”

He said that many of the migrating Venezuelans were drugs and arms trafficking and cautioned: “Saint Lucia does not have the resources to deal with that situation. Therefore we are working with the Venezuelan government and regional forces to ensure we can secure Saint Lucia’s boundaries.”

Efforts to secure the borders are now underway, with the proposed formation of a Border Control Agency. This was how Mr. Chastanet addressed the subject to reporters on Monday: “We’re looking at integrating a couple of our agencies. One is immigration, two is customs, and the others are the quarantine and the marine police. The new border control would actually be those four entities merging into one.”

A transitional committee with representatives of all parties was put in place last week to "work with all the different agencies and informing them as to what’s taking place and how it’s going to be affecting anybody,

if anything at all," the prime minister said.

As for related new legislation, the prime minister advised: "We're hoping that will be enacted by the end of the year. We've indicated that we want to see implementation by

next year. I certainly want it to be implemented in the old airport prior to moving into the new airport, because those processes will be very important in determining the final design of the new airport facility."

---JSA

Training to boost Motorcycle Patrol Fleet of the RSLPF to begin in September

Police Commissioner Moncherry (pictured): The prime minister is determined to help him cut down on crime figures, crimes of violence in particular.

He revealed: “Software used at the border has been dysfunctional for years, so there is a need to upgrade the system. A company came in, and I’m hoping we can move very quickly to get that system in place." He added: "Police officers will no longer be performing the function of immigration. The police officers will now go back to their substantive posts on the beat. We’re very excited about that because we would like to see more policemen on the road."

Will the formation of the new agency result in individuals losing their jobs?

The prime minister assured concerned parties, "We don't see anybody being sent home.

My government, since we've been in office, has not asked anybody to resign. So any solution that requires people to be sent home is not something that my government would consider. Commonsense would tell you that if you're adding more responsibilities . . . well, I don't know how you would end up hiring less people."

T

he Motorcycle Patrol Fleet within the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) Traffic Department will very shortly engage in the training of more than twenty police officers in order to beef up numbers to complement the motorcycle fleet.

On July 30, 2018 the Traffic Department was officially handed five spanking new XJ6Yamaha motorcycles shipped from Japan to augment the existing fleet.

Minister for Home Affairs and National Security Honourable Hermangild Francis has indicated that the government is systematically addressing the many needs of the RSLPF. Administrative Sergeant

Miguel Lansiquot expressed how pleased the Traffic Department is with the injection of brand new motorcycles and thanked Minister Francis and the hierarchy of the RSLPF: “We are aiming for a greater police presence on our roads and we are very grateful for the efforts of the hierarchy of the organisation, as well as Minister Francis, who has been very instrumental to this recent procurement. It is clear that the daily patrol by the traffic police makes a marked difference on any given day. Police presence encourages compliance by the motoring public, minimizes accidents and excessive speeding. Overall it deters other unlawful acts; so we are always happy to receive the tools that

will enhance our work.”

The training of more police motorcyclists will commence in September. Sergeant Lansiquot says that the female officers are welcomed to express their interest in being trained.

“We still have just one woman police officer as part of our motorcycle patrol fleet but we believe in having more,” he noted expectantly. “It is also noteworthy that the entire training will be managed internally because we have within the RSLPF our very own certified instructors and examiner so we do not have to outsource in order for this training to take place.”

The Motorcycle Patrol Fleet has also been outfitted with new safety gear including helmets, gloves and boots.

THE STAR

11

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august 25, 2018

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august 25, 2018 THE STAR

CREDIT UNIONS: SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE (Part One) Peter Josie

W

hen did you last hear the phrase “controlling the commanding heights of the economy?” I bet it was a long time ago, if at all. The saying returned to me when I read that the St. Lucia Workers' Credit Union had acquired brand new offices in Castries, where it hopes to better serve its members. It’s an achievement the nation ought to celebrate. The event took me back to the teachings of the St. Lucia Forum of the early 1970s. I therefore consider it a duty, as a founding member of that group, to encourage citizens to join a credit union of their choice as the St. Lucia Workers' Credit Union marks an auspicious occasion.

The event that marked a new chapter in the life of the credit union is one which politicians should be falling

Whatever else may be said about their politics, there can be no doubt John Compton, George F.L. Charles, George Odlum and the author Peter Josie (left to right) made valuable contributions to the union movement in Saint Lucia.

over each other to praise and encourage. I encourage them and their constituents to join a credit union. This would help raise the profile of politics on the island and confirm that they are finally returning to that which matters most in a country and its people—the economy!

It cannot be denied that George F.L. Charles, Martin ‘Oleo’ Jn.

Baptiste and Burke King (father of the NWU’s Tyrone Maynard) laid the foundation on which the island’s credit unions were built. Neither can it be denied that it was George Odlum, Peter Josie, and Hilford Deterville of the St. Lucia Forum who first made the connection between collective wealth accumulation (savings) amongst citizens

THE WATER AND SEWERAGE COMPANY INC. (WASCO)

NOTICE

JANITORIAL SEVICES The Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (WASCO) wishes to invite eligible bidders to offer Janitorial Services to the Company. Interested Companies/ bidders are required to submit their sealed bid(s) by 12:00 Noon on Friday August 31st, 2018 at the Company L’Anse Road Office.

Interested bidders are asked to visit WASCO’s website at www.wascosaintlucia. com, or the Government of Saint Lucia (GOSL) Website at www.govt.lc or the National Printing Corporation (NPC) website at www.slugovprintery.com for Request For Proposal (RFP) and Terms of Reference (TOR), or a hard copy of the documents may be collected at the Water and Sewerage Company’s L’Anse Road office.

All bids should be addressed to: Mr. Trevor Jn Paul Maintenance Supervisor Water and Sewerage Company Inc. L’Anse Road, Castries

(local banks and credit unions), using political education to emphasize self-respect and self-worth. The Forum’s message was at the heart of the formation of the Commercial Bank of Saint Lucia.

It aided in the establishment of the Saint Lucia Development Bank.

Having recently suffered the neglect of Emancipation Day, I consider it my duty to point out some issues for discussion at the 40th anniversary of Independence in 2019. In so doing, I return to three of the several principles laid down by the St. Lucia Forum: To control the island’s scare resources, including the land and the accumulation and control of savings; to build self-confidence and resilience in workers and producers on the island through continuous training and political education and to use the media to promote these ideas in a way that does not conflict with good manners, etiquette and logical debate that cut across narrow partisan politics.

In the process of development we must learn to give jack his jacket. We may dislike a man and his politics, but before we begin to expatiate on what in him we dislike, we must make certain to introduce our analysis with the good that individual has accomplished.

For example, in criticizing past politicians for the things we disliked about them (including George F. L. Charles, founder of the SLP and John Compton, founder of the UWP), we first must ascertain that we recall the struggles these two had selflessly engaged in on behalf of sugarcane cutters of the 50s and 60s and later on behalf

of banana farmers. We ought also to recall that it was Odlum, Josie, Deterville and the St. Lucia Forum that first educated the masses to build self-worth and pride and in the process taught them to appreciate their history and their heritage.

Adult suffrage did not elevate the thinking of the common man; the Forum’s ideas and political education of the 70s did.

Under George Charles and John Compton, the electorate achieved adult suffrage—one man (age 21 and over), one vote. Despite adult suffrage the masses—the malaway and the barely literate—were never exposed to a study of themselves, their history and their economic circumstances within the global situation. Only when George Odlum, Peter Josie and the St. Lucia Forum arrived on the public scene did that change. Later, it was these two who energized the St. Lucia Labour Party and instilled in the masses their value as human beings, and the need “to take up their beds and walk.”

It was therefore no coincidence that this writer, on being appointed Minister of Agriculture in 1979, organised a group of local small farmers to visit Trinidad to observe advanced methods in vegetable and food production there, and at the UWI faculty of agriculture. Again, it was no fluke or act of cheap politics that during my too-short period as minister, banana farmers visited Martinique to observe updated methods of husbandry in banana cultivation. And to crown it all, it was under my watch as Minister of Agriculture that banana farmers accompanied

me to England to observe the rigid selection process their bananas underwent before final distribution and sale at various supermarkets. Importantly, farmers and fishermen on the island were encouraged to form credit unions in which to place their savings, and to act as agents for the procurement of needed inputs and materials. Of course, we were heavily criticized by some for opening the eyes of workers and people, politically.

The establishment, including some religious authorities, felt threatened. They feared losing control of the peoples’ minds.

It came to a head during the passage of the Education Bill that was introduced in parliament

by Hunter Francois, Minister of Education, in 1973. The Bill was strongly supported by the St. Lucia Forum. Without it, there would not be as many secondary schools on the island today; neither would there be a Sir. Arthur Lewis Community College.

It’s now sixty years or so since the first credit union was started in Saint Lucia.

Perhaps the time has come for the country to begin to choose its parliamentarians based on membership and support for the credit union movement, community service and membership in sporting organisations.

Still, we need to guard against wolves in sheep’s clothing as some will attempt to use the foundation built by Odlum and Josie and others, to enrich themselves and family. It should be an unwritten rule in politics that we encourage citizens to save in banks, and invest in credit unions, and continue to jealously guard these as they pursue control of the commanding heights of the economy.

THE STAR

august 25, 2018

www.stluciastar.com

Taiwan and Saint Lucia strengthen bond

A

sister-city agreement has been singed between Castries and Taipei, the capital of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The signing took place at the Office of the Mayor of Castries on Thursday.

"This morning marks a new milestone between Taiwan and Saint Lucia," Taiwanese ambassador Douglas Shen said. "This marks not only the culmination of relentless efforts by the staff of both cities but also the inception of more mutually-beneficial co-operation between the two cities."

He added: "Castries, like Taipei city, is one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. Let me also take this opportunity to reassure you that Taiwan is committed to provide whatever support we can to help Castries become even more beautiful. Over the years, Taiwan's donations have helped bring about the Derek Walcott House, the Information, Communication & Technology Centre, the GINET project, and many others."

In closing, the ambassador stated: "Taipei has a lot of best practices to offer in terms of municipal infrastructure and the management. In the years to come, we can anticipate more interactions and joint projects between Castries and Taipei, to share experience, expertise and resources.”

Mayor Peterson Francis (left) and Taiwanese ambassador Douglas Shen after signing a sister-city agreement,

A beaming Mayor Peterson Francis responded, “We are thrilled and honoured to take your hand in marriage as we undertake the voyage of developing our city and seek to bring quality facilities, programmes and projects.”

The Mayor urged those involved: “Let it be a partnership, which contributes meaningfully, and strengthens the joint co-operation agreement that exits between Taiwan and Saint Lucia.”

One area of focus the mayor outlined was that of safety: “One of our most important priorities within Castries and Saint Lucia is the safety of our citizens and visitors. We will challenge ourselves in working hard

to share our experience, knowledge and information to tackle development challenges.”

Also in attendance was the minister for local government, Fortuna Belrose, who pledged her support and described the agreement as “an opportunity for cultural exchanges, tourism development and for our arts and craft industry to blossom.”

Despite the negative rumours pertaining to their relationship, Belrose said: “Mayor, of course we want to commend you and your team for the great work that you're continuing to do. As we look to take our city to new heights, we look forward to ensuring that the relationship mushrooms in the way we want."

BAY GARDENS RESORTS CELEBRATES AWARD-WINNING CULINARY EXCELLENCE

B

ay Gardens Resorts will host an evening of culinary flair on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 from 6:00 pm at the Bay Gardens Beach Resort and Spa’s Hi Tide Restaurant.

The event will feature the resort chain’s award-winning Executive Sous Chef, Peter Lawrence plus Karina Abraham and Cheyenne Hippolyte, students of the Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School, who recently won the 2018 Caribbean Junior Duelling Challenge. The chefs will serve a three-course meal geared at recreating the winning dish from that challenge, whilst the gold medal winner will

reinvent his winning dish with added twists from the 2014 Taste of the Caribbean Culinary Competition. The dessert will be a test of skill and creativity whereby the chefs will be using ingredients from a mystery basket. The team will be under the direction of Bay Gardens Beach Resort and Spa’s Executive Chef, Nicodemus Joseph, who is a former St. Lucia Culinary Team Captain.

This culinary event was conceptualized by Executive Director, Sanovnik Destang, who believes it will provide an avenue for showcasing the culinary masterpieces and stylings of all three chefs, each

of whom has a passion and appreciation for food as well as the art of cooking.

The local resort group invites Saint Lucians and visitors alike to come out and support local talent whilst experiencing an evening of cooking greatness for only EC$144.00 inclusive of taxes and a chocolateinspired cocktail. Everyone is encouraged to stay tuned to the company’s social media pages for updates on the mystery ingredients leading up to the evening of culinary excellence.

For more information call 457-8000 or email marketing@ baygardensresorts.com.

LOCAL

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AUGUST 25, 2018 THE STAR

Chamber says lea deterrent to local and T

hree months ago, a former United States Air Force linguist named Reality Winner became the first person to be prosecuted by the Trump administration on charges of leaking classified information.

She pleaded guilty. The 26-year-old had been working as a contractor for the National Security Agency when she obtained a copy of a report that described hacks by a Russian intelligence service against local election officials and a company that sold software related to voter registration.

At a detention hearing last year, the prosecutor, Jennifer G. Solari, said Ms. Winner had been “mad about some things she had seen in the media, and she wanted to set the facts right.” For her part, Winner told Chief Judge J. Randall Hall: “All of my actions I did willfully, meaning I did so of my own free will.” Her mother tearfully told reporters her daughter “would not have decided to plead guilty if she wasn’t ready to accept the consequences and to accept responsibility.”

For most of American history, people accused of leaking to the news media were not prosecuted. In the cases that have come up during the 21st century, most convicted defendants were sentenced to one to three and a half years.

This week the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce

published its Executive Director’s Review of the Current Economic Environment.

One particular item arrested my attention. Its heading posed the question: Are We Eroding Confidence in Doing Business With the Government of Saint Lucia? Perhaps I’d better reproduce precisely what followed: “Surely a disturbing issue is the breach of confidentiality within the public and private sectors. Employees are now flippantly leaking documents of a private nature, regularly, without concern for the ramifications. The effect on business people’s confidence, foreign and local, as to respect of privacy when doing business in Saint Lucia is now real.

[Possible concerns]: ‘Will my competitor soon know my every business detail once I do business with the government of Saint Lucia? Will my personal and business banking information make its way to social media?' The leaders of our nation, on both sides, need to speak out and bring this practice to a stop or we will all pay the price.”

I’ve been able to confirm that many local private-sector businesses require employees to sign confidentiality agreements. As for public servants, their employment is dependent on their taking an Oath of Secrecy. Which brings us to the so-called National

Conservation Authority scandal that impacted the political atmosphere back in December 2004, following a reference to documented matters by TV host Claudius Francis, an avowed supporter of all things Labour Party. He started out like this: “You can tell by my demeanor that I am not in my customary effervescent mood.” He went on to acknowledge that he had heard, “like most Saint Lucians,” certain allegations involving the general manager of the National Conservation Authority, and yes, he said, it was true that he had in his possession certain related documents.

A short time later, at his party’s convention starring U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters, the prime minister and SLP leader Kenny Anthony referenced the NCA matter that Francis had triggered. Typically, he said: “They want us to hate ourselves. There is an assault on my leadership and integrity . . . When allegations surface we have a duty to investigate.

But it is only afterward that we can pass judgment. The Labour Party must never be a sanctuary for corrupt elements.”

Several days earlier, under public pressure, the minister with responsibility for the NCA—whose dirty linen a frontline party member had exposed to public scrutiny—had

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet (left) and Hous How far can a government dare to go to guarantee the privacy righ

THE STAR

AUGUST 25, 2018

COMMENT

www.stluciastar.com

15

aked documents a nd foreign investors?

and House Opposition Leader Philip J. Pierre: rivacy rights of its citizens and others seeking to do business here?

promised a full-scale inquiry into the management of the authority going back to 2001: “My attention has been drawn to repeated media allegations concerning the administration of the NCA, in particular the stewardship of its general manager. The undermining of public confidence in the affairs of the NCA is not in the national interest and should not be encouraged.”

And Menissa Rambally was true to her word. But while her inquiry confirmed much of what Claudius Francis had earlier hinted at, it generated more questions never answered.

I’ve revisited the NCA debacle to illustrate the fact that the official attitude to leaks depends on the party in office.

But while some reporters would be high and dry if not for leaks, we also have a responsibility to use information, however obtained, only in the best interests of the public. Whistleblowers must keep in mind the national interest. I’ve been a journalist for most of my working life and I’m not about to suggest laws should be enacted that would make the job of reporting more difficult than already it is. On the other hand, for our own sake we must be careful how we use information, however received, whether in relation to public or private entities.

I recall my 1997 story centered on a would-be foreign investor named Shaun Murphy—published in the STAR soon after Kenny Anthony started his first term as this country’s prime minister. Before putting one word to paper, I spent several days tracking down my quarry and offering him the opportunity to refute swirling rumors concerning

his business activities here, some of which had been leaked to another paper. I also took the precaution of challenging countless times what my own informants had assured me was true. Murphy’s local bank was most cooperative after I agreed not to publish details that, though absolutely correct, would nevertheless negatively impact the bank’s image in the eyes of customers. The bank’s manager assured me that before he was accepted as a client, Murphy’s background had been thoroughly investigated. Several agencies, including the FBI and Interpol had given him a clean bill of health, never mind the already published contrary reports.

In its own political interests the Kenny Anthony administration, through the day’s British representative, persuaded Murphy to leave the island “voluntarily”—or face deportation. Just days after he relocated to St Vincent & the Grenadines, having abandoned his brand-new home at Cap Estate, Murphy was officially declared persona non grata via the Saint Lucia Gazette.

It later emerged that the Kenny Anthony government had confused him with another Shaun Murphy of The Laundrymen, a book by Jeffrey Robinson—self-described as “the world’s leading writer on financial crime.” According to the author, the Shaun Murphy of his story had ratted on fellow drug dealers in Miami to the authorities; had finally been taken into the Witness Protection Program and handed life afresh, with a brand new name. Why then would he come to Saint Lucia to do business under his original name? Only Kenny Anthony (who received

Murphy at his office) and his paranoid advisors know.

Three or four years earlier, when he was director of the Caribbean Justice Improvement Project, Kenny Anthony had stated in an essay entitled Public Officers: Confidentiality and Freedom of Speech: “Whatever the source of the duty, the obligation to maintain the confidentiality of certain information constitutes an infringement on free speech.” While acknowledging sanctioned incursions into the so-called right to free speech, the notion was “so strong that curtailment in the exercise of free expression requires justification by reference to some higher principle.”

He cited Lord Goff’s “the principle of confidentiality only applies to information to the extent that it is confidential.”

Which Kenny Anthony countered with: “If that was the law, then one might argue that there is no need for laws to prevent whistle-blowing in the Commonwealth Caribbean, since there are no secrets to these islands.” Oh, but that was long before Grynberg had become a household word in Saint Lucia!

The prime minister seemed to have had a change of heart at the time of the NCA debacle, when he appeared as my guest on TALK and admitted he had actually considered enacting legislation to discourage whistle-blowing but had been “otherwise advised.” The Chamber’s warning that the flippant leaking of private documents may already be discouraging local and foreign business brings to mind a ghost from the not so distant past: Section 361. But that’s for another show!

16 ENTERTAINMENT

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august 25, 2018 THE STAR

So You Think You Can Dance?

elano Manganoo is a DanceSport Ambassador from Trinidad and Tobago. Regularly he travels throughout the Caribbean to conduct workshops designed to provide Caribbean dancers with life-changing opportunities.

Manganoo's last local workshop was with the Kalani Dance Institute for its Latin Dance Training camp in April of this year. Before embarking on yet another trip to Saint Lucia come September, the dance-sport enthusiast checked in with the STAR to spill on his ongoing project which has already taken him to Trinidad & Tobago, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Barbados and Jamaica.

STAR: Let's start with a brief rundown of what you do and why you do it.

Manganoo: Well, I work closely with the World DanceSport Federation. They are an overseeing body for dance-sport on a competitive level globally.

I am also with the International Dance Teachers Association of Great Britain. I normally travel to different islands and our objective is for growth and dance diversification throughout the Caribbean. A lot of the European countries already have the resources, so the idea is to help Caribbean islands with great talent but that lack technique, resources and the right amount of information to grow and develop.

STAR: Is this also the purpose of September's workshop?

Manganoo: I've been coming to Saint Lucia for the last four years doing workshops and projects but this year it’s going bigger. I have an organisation called the Live2dance Foundation that caters to autistic and underpriviledged children here in Trinidad and we decided to expand the project.

In September we're going to be having a show here in Saint Lucia to raise awareness of the programme and to raise funds for the kids’ workshops.

STAR: What will the workshops include?

Manganoo: The workshops will feature different genres: ballroom, Latin, contemporary,

The Dance SLU workshop in September promises to uplift local dancers and connect them with superior learning opportunities.

ballet and folk dance for adults.

These workshops are free but only if persons purchase $80 tickets to the show. So we're going to be having the show on Saturday, September 15 and the workshops will run from September 10 to September 14. Participants will also get a certificate of completion and it is a recognized certificate by the two bodies that I work closely with.

STAR: How will these workshops benefit Saint Lucians?

Manganoo: Well, the thing is, Saint Lucia needs to broaden; we need to bring Saint Lucia up to an international level.

We have the people that are interested in dance but they are not seeing how they can go further. They need the right information. The thing is, once they're educated and recognize they can go far, there will be more interest and discipline.

I also train instructors. Right now, we have an instructor onisland teaching people dance at Harmony Suites Hotel. His name is Eldon Forde.

STAR: Can you highlight some of the available opportunities?

Manganoo: Well, at the moment, every year I host a dance festival called ICDF—the International Caribbean Dance

Festival—and I invite dancers from Europe, America and Latin Caribbean to come over to Trinidad for four days. It involves competitions for young people in different areas. We have a show segment where choreographers are able to show their work and on the third day we have workshops where all the instructors, including Caribbean instructors, can teach. We give instructors the opportunity to get paid because we have a lot of sponsors.

We also have scholarship programmes to train within the institution in Trinidad. Our last scholarship programme, they went to Beijing to study dance.

I also work closely with the World DanceSport Federation so, once couples and dancers are up to par, they will be able to represent their country within the competition segment in South America. But again, people are only given those opportunities when they are able to exercise discipline. The opportunities are there; you have to show you are working towards it.

Dancers wishing to participate in the programme are invited to indicate their interest by contacting 'Dance SLU' on Facebook. For more information, telephone (758) 714 2219 or 518 4555.

--- Keryn Nelson

THE STAR

Kofi Annan: Philosopher Prince The following editorial on the passing of Kofi Annan— Ghanaian diplomat and seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations—is issued by the ViceChancellor of The University of the West Indies (UWI), Professor Sir Hilary Beckles. Mr. Annan was conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by The UWI, Mona in 1998.

Kofi Annan was a Nobel Prize winner and U.N. Secretary-General but he was also deeply recognized by the University of the West Indies.

world that this was its moment to rise, as if from a baptismal cleansing. He believed it to be the ‘Mandela moment’, and that the international community could be convinced to embrace a new, even if surreal, appetite for tolerance with justice.

The dapper diplomat went to work knowing full well that the test of his talent would be on display. Blood was running in Rwanda and the West was preparing to end traditional leadership in Libya. He stood as a lonely man, seeking to save the world from itself, to extract the toxins of colonial legacies, and to bring an imagined biblical peace to the Middle East. Every land with an angst that wished for relief from pain and grief called for Annan.

Peace was his passion. But he knew the limits of the letter and positioned his person at the centre of the stage to be settled. This was the signature of his commitment. Where he did not succeed he had tried hardest.

The Durban discourse was dying at the outset. The USA pulled out citing the need to protect Israel from unfounded allegations. Yasser Arafat was unmoved. The EU threatened to pull out feeling shame and

guilt for its committed crimes against humanity within colonial empires. There was to be neither dialogue nor diplomacy on reparations.

Kofi stepped in.

Compromises were struck.

The conference proceeded.

Delegates proceeded to give the world what it needed. The approved resolution stated that slavery, slave trading, and colonialism were crimes against humanity. Annan secured for Africa’s global diasporas what was long pursued. From then it has been said that reparatory justice for these crimes will constitute the greatest global political movement of the 21st century.

Diplomacy, the master craftsman once said, “is the art of enabling the other side to celebrate your victory as their own”. The subtlety of success is today rarely celebrated. We will now be living in the post Annan diplomatic world that in many places, rejects the decency of diplomatic dialogue. Annan was the ‘light as a feather’ African sage, a universal peace soldier, and a UWI, Caribbean supporter. And so, as we hear the distant drum, we say unto him, rest, rise, turn and come again.

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'Coconut oil is poison': Harvard medical professor says the health fad is 'one of the worst foods you can eat' - and says even LARD is better

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frica’s long tradition of producing a timely philosopher prince remained in place despite Europe’s modern global holocaust against its people.

The capacity to reason as if above the canopy of chaos, while feet remained rooted in the turbulent turf has remained a legacy. A mantle of Mandela’s humanist mission fell onto the gifted Ghanaian son, Kofi (born on a Friday), who rose to become the continent’s first black Prince of the United Nations in 1997 before returning to ancestors on Saturday, August 18, 2018.

The UWI, an academy he respected, conferred on him an honorary doctorate in special convocation in 1998, two days before his 60th birthday.

Claiming and naming him a UWI man, Professor Baugh, the Mona’s campus orator of excellence, framed him as the Asante from Kumasi who crossed the Atlantic with an African agenda to address its middle passage, evil deeds and to heal the world’s deepest wound.

While it has been said that he ruled ‘best for the West’, it cannot be claimed that he did not remain embedded within the intellectual power of the African cosmology and sensibility that captured the global imagination, dedicated as it was to the peace and reconciliation that sought to uproot the rue as recognised and reasoned by Bishop Tutu.

To this end, he took the United Nations in 2001 to Durban, South Africa, for a global reasoning in the form of a conference on race, xenophobia and other related intolerances. With Thabo Mbeki in the presidency and Nelson Mandela in diplomatic retreat, Kofi fought to convince the

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oconut oil is 'pure poison' and 'one of the worst foods you can eat', according to a lecture given by a professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Dr Karin Michels, who also heads up the tumour research centre at the University of Freiburg, made the statement in a 50-minute talk in Germany last month.

Among other things, she told her audience that 'coconut oil is pure poison,' and 'it is one of the worst foods you can eat,' according to a translation by Business Insider Deutschland.

The video, which has amassed more than 400,000 hits since it was published on July 10, will add fuel to the fiery debate over the oil's nutritional properties; many have turned to coconuts as a guilt-free fat, but even the

American Heart Association has urged consumers to restrict their use.

Coconut oil had a peculiar rise to popularity.

Cardiologists know well that it may be tasty and sumptuous, but those velvety qualities are no friend to your arteries.

Dr Michels says it is worse than lard (fat from the abdomen of a pig which was a hit in the 50s and is now only seen in our grandmothers' pantries).

And yet, a nationwide poll in 2016 found at least 70 per cent of Americans believed coconut oil to be healthy—with many seeing it as one of the healthiest oils out there.

The ascent of coconut oil sales began in the early 2000s, on the heels of two studies by Columbia University which looked at medium-

chain fatty acids, a type of fat present in coconuts. The study participants who ate the medium-chain fatty acid diet burned fat quicker than the controls. Once the findings emerged, it was gobbled up: could this product, that is so easy to incorporate into daily life, be the Holy Grail of fat burning?

Consumers decided it could. Sales of coconut oil rocketed.

The medical industry, however, was not converted— not even the author of the study, nutrition professor Marie-Pierre St-Onge, who explained in her study that, coconuts are only 14 per cent medium-chain fatty acids. The study participants were fed 100 per cent.

---Mail Online

JOIN OUR TEAM!!!!!

The Windward and Leeward Brewery Limited (WLBL) invites talented and enthusiatic professionals to apply for the following position:

Purchaser /Contract Manager Role:

To implement and monitor the contracts with suppliers and monitor supplier performance by establishing, following, measuring and observing cost and service levels whilst reducing costs and improving the value of the supplier.

Department:

Procurement

Education:

-

Experience:

Competencies:

-

Undergraduate degree or higher in Finance, Commerce or Economics Professional qualifications in purchasing would be an asset 2-4 years of experience preferably in Procurement and within a beverage company or fast moving consumer goods industry Business Process Knowledge Purchasing / Procurement Tendering / Contracts Strong understanding of Purchasing Experience in leading cross functional teams Ability to thrive in a dynamic and fast paced environment Ability to cope with competing demands and prioritize tasks Ability to interact and communicate with multiple levels within the organization Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite with emphasis on Excel and PowerPoint Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret results and provide insightful commentary Proactive in identifying and solving problems/issues

Interested applicants should apply to:

The Human Resource Manager Windward & Leeward Brewery Limited P O Box 237, Vieux Fort Fax: 1 758 454-6301 Email: recruitment@wlbl.lc For further details on this employment opportunity, visit our website at http://www.wlbl.lc Deadline for Submission is Friday August 31st 2018 Please note that only suitable applications will be acknowledged

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www.stluciastar.com

TUE 21ST AUG 6:00PM

august 25, 2018 THE STAR

THE STAR

Sandals Foundation Scholarship Holders help prepare Primary School for New Term

of China (Taiwan)

P Excited parents, students and Sandals staff were happy to create a welcoming atmosphere at Marchand Combined School.

scholarship recipients also took time off their jobs to work alongside them in order to give back to the community.

One of those parents, Ms. Titiana Boyce, said, “This was very important to me. I asked for the day off and I was able to get it, because I like to be involved with the things that my son is doing. He is a cadet and spent some time at a camp where he was learning good skills. This was important too, and so I am glad I was able to help.”

Mr. Moses Augustin also came to school to volunteer with his son: “I want him to learn to do better and to help people. This is why I took the time off to come and work with him in the school. It is important for him to do these things.”

Once the cleaning and painting was over, the students were transported to Sandals

Regency La Toc where they participated in other activities including a table etiquette session hosted by team members restaurant manager Peter Moise and waitress Kathleen Popo.

In addressing the students over lunch, Sandals Regency La Toc operations manager Della John stressed on the importance of seizing opportunities as they present themselves. She used her own life story and rise through the ranks at Sandals to inspire the students. In closing, Christopher Elliott, general manager at Sandals Halcyon, implored the students to work harder throughout the term. He said, “Those of you who have scholarships are very fortunate.

You must raise the bar and perform at your best.”

Students go back to school this September.

NGU Clothing to hit NY Runways

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arshall Celestin, founder of Never Give Up (NGU) Clothing, has surpassed in several fashion events including Fashion Fest in Edmonton, Runway for Hope Fashion Show, No Limit Fashion Show in Ottawa and, most recently, Youth Fest in Saint Lucia. He's even made an appearance on Canada’s biggest TV station: CTV (The Morning Live) where he displayed some of the latest trends in his line.

Now seeking a new challenge, he is set to take his brand of fashion to one of the world’s most anticipated fashion events: New York Fashion Week. NGU Clothing will be competing in the Street Fashion Category.

NY Fashion Week can expect a unique fusion of the highly popular madras scheme of Saint Lucia infused with a modern street look. In every piece there will be a touch of Saint Lucia at its core.

“I have a story to tell and I tell it through fashion,” said Marshall. “It's always been a dream of mine. I never thought I'd be able to get this far so soon, in only two years. As a Saint Lucian designer it's amazing to be able to share

Marshall Celestin’s NGU clothing boasts a creative display of madras, a symbol of his Saint Lucian roots.

the spotlight with some of the world's best designers.”

The NGU designer added: “We're dedicating this to Cornelius George who was one of our beloved models back home. We had plans for him to be with us for this fashion show a long time ago so this one is dedicated to him.”

NGU Clothing will hit the runway for New York Fashion Week in Manhattan on September 15. The entire week runs from September 10 through to 16.

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President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan condemns Chinese coercion after severing diplomatic ties with El Salvador

By Embassy of the Republic

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number of Sandals Foundation Scholarship recipients joined several team members from Sandals Resorts in Saint Lucia last week, to help with painting and repairs at the Marchand Combined School ahead of students returning for the new school term.

Sandals Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International, supports 17 children on scholarship at varying levels of secondary and tertiary education. While some of these students will graduate from the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College at the upcoming 2018 graduation ceremony, ten of the younger ones will enter third form at their secondary school of choice. Many of these students would have achieved over 80% at the Common Entrance Examination, therefore qualifying for the Sandals Foundation Scholarship.

These students took time out from their summer vacation to volunteer for a two-hour clean-up and lunch-table paint job at the Marchand Combined School, one of the three schools that have been adopted by Sandals in Saint Lucia.

In addition to teaching and exposing the students to the value of community service, the exercise is also an investment in life skills for these young people. Parents of two of the

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august 25, 2018

resident Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan condemned China’s diplomatic and military coercion in a major statement on the termination of diplomatic relations with El Salvador on 21 August 2018. She said, “Taiwan will not bow down to pressure.”

President Tsai emphasised that as a member of the international community, Taiwan is entitled to its place and engage with the world.

She said that the 23 million Taiwanese, like people in other nations, have the right to equality, freedom, independent sovereignty, and dignity.

Regrettably, the Chinese regime has been unrelenting and repeatedly exerted pressure, using the severance of diplomatic relations with El Salvador to crush the will of the Taiwanese people to embrace the world.

President Tsai said that the severance of diplomatic ties is not an isolated incident but part and parcel of a series of all-pervasive diplomatic and military acts of coercion, which includes sending military

aircraft to encircle Taiwan, forcing international airlines to change their designation for Taiwan, depriving Taichung City of its right to host the East Asian Youth Games, and the recent 85°C café incident. China has never loosened its grip.

President Tsai indicates that today's China is not only a threat to cross-strait peace.

China's actions around the world—whether interfering in other countries' internal affairs, or undermining the international market order— have already caused serious global instability and leaves no room for appeasement. She said that cross-strait issues no longer involve just the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

They are also regional issues. Throughout Asia, China's ambition is to challenge, and even replace the international order led by traditional powers.

With increasingly complex trade disputes looming, China is now exerting unprecedented pressure on Taiwan to underscore its regional influence and power.

President Tsai said China's demands and actions have crossed the bottom line for all

President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan issues a major statement on severance of diplomatic ties with El Salvador.

of Taiwan's major political parties.

She urged the whole nation to come together as one, and join forces to defend the shared bottom line of Taiwan’s national sovereignty.

President Tsai said that over the past two years, the people of Taiwan have proven to the world that threats will not force the Taiwanese to give up freedom and democracy, or abandon their determination to contribute to the international community. Taiwan will also call on its diplomatic allies to cherish their long-standing friendship with the Republic of China (Taiwan), and Taiwan’s contributions to the substantive development of allied countries.

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august 25, 2018 THE STAR

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Courts Fashionista 2018

he 5th edition of the growing Courts Fashionista Competition took place on Friday August 17 at the Marisule Complex.

Courts St. Lucia strongly believes that initiatives that endorse the holistic development, specifically creative expression, are of utmost priority in Saint Lucia. Therefore, the company embarked on an activity that promotes artistry and talent through the ‘Fashionista’ Competition which started in 2014.

This year’s competition deviated from the all-furniture inspired concept designs and focused on any product available at Courts to be used as the aspiring designer's inspiration.

On Friday last, eleven designers stepped up to the challenge and presented brilliant creations, which were critiqued by a panel

of three judges.

At the culmination of the competition, Ms. Beverly Ann Thomas emerged winner, walking away with $2,500. 1st runner-up Jonique Satenay received $1,000 and 2nd runner-up Tannel George took home $500. All participants were awarded certificates of participation.

Unicomer St. Lucia wishes to express its gratitude to the general public for the overwhelming support in this venture and looks forward to the public's continued support for future events. The company also takes the opportunity to congratulate the 11 participants: Beverly Ann Thomas, Jonique Satenay, Tannel George, Catherine Edmund, Emlin Emery, Leona Stanley, Ashley Imbert, Renee Pologne, Ashley Prospere, Euphemia Edmund and Ignatia St. Brice on a job well done.

See a stylish product at Courts?

Wear it as a dress!

To everyone who contributed to making the event an unquestionable success we want to say a heartfelt thank you.

Police Stand Firm

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n the new “rights” militancy that seems to infest the world, it is interesting to observe that local police have closed ranks. They are not yet into a “Me Too” state of mind but it was a breath of fresh air to hear that local police were quite strident in support of one of their own who appeared drawn into some contretemps with the minister responsible for national security. It was a strong push back from the minister’s call to the female officer, as if intending to issue her an order. The police association was quick to point out that only the Commissioner is empowered to issue directives to members of the force. How enlightening!

But reader, the question which came to mind was, who directed the local police to protest against the British policemen thirteen years ago, when they were doing such a good job? Question number two: Who, if anyone, directed the police back in 2010 to get rid of the troublemakers and so-called criminals, an initiative that led to the IMPACS debacle? Why was the association so quick to demand that the Commissioner of Police stop all investigations into the most recent incident involving the minister, a former high ranking member of the police force? I repeat a question that I posed in an earlier article: Why are Saint Lucians so quick to sweep things under the carpet? Why do they demonstrate such reluctance to get to the bottom of important issues, per chance to discover permanent solutions?

Why can’t the Commissioner be allowed to do his own investigation and decide for himself how to act on the information? Why the secrecy?

We need to keep in mind that rights demand equal or greater responsibilities. I say no more.

--- Peter Josie

THE STAR AUGUST 25, 2018

www.stluciastar.com

KIM’S KORNER

No Pain, No Gain?

Are we supposed to hold this position for two seconds or two minutes?

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ou’ve finally started to exercise; you’re full of hope and enthusiasm; and, as expected, you are experiencing some aches and pains after your workout. But you notice, after a few days, the pain is not subsiding and you realise this isn’t the normal delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) normally felt in the days following a hard workout. (It’s day seven and the pain just isn’t going away.) This pain may be a sign that you have an injury and not DOMS. But then, what is the difference between DOMS and pain?

To answer this question we must first look at what actually happens when we exercise. Everywhere we turn we hear that exercise is good for us, helping to regulate glucose, insulin and leptin, improve heart function, mood and sleep; but the process our muscles go through to adapt is often overlooked. Muscles are the structures responsible for movement and posture and therefore a key element to our overall fitness and abilities.

A healthy body requires healthy muscles and exercise is how we achieve the best from our bodies. During exercise there is an increased blood flow to the muscles to help supply oxygen (aerobic) which is required to produce the energy the muscles require to work. When the muscle work exceeds the oxygen supplied, our muscles begin to work anaerobically, which leads to the production and buildup of lactic acid. If the body is not able to keep up with the demands of the muscles, fatigue can set in. Working a muscle can also cause microtrauma (small tears) to the muscle fibres but it is this process that leads to the

increase in muscle bulk, as these small tears lead to the formation of new fibres that are larger and stronger.

Delayed onset muscle soreness is an achy painful feeling experienced after vigorous or strenuous exercise and usually lasts between 24-72 hours. Have you ever had that great feeling after exercise, only to wake up unable to move and then, once moving, unable to stop? Pain from an injury may start during a workout or immediately after, often described as a sharp sensation and, although aggravated by movement, can also be present at rest. With an injury you may also be able to pinpoint the area of pain and even notice local swelling but with DOMS, the pain and discomfort may be widespread and felt in the muscles of the arms or legs, and although inflammation may be present, it is not easily observed.

An injury may be the result of a sprain or strain, whereas it is thought that DOMS is the result of small tears in the muscle caused by a workout, but there are those who doubt this explanation. However, we do know that exercising muscles causes small tears and this is how our muscles grow and strengthen. There are many theories that try to explain the presence of pain and stiffness

in DOMS: • Microtrauma to the muscles causes the stimulation and activation of the pain sensors in muscles causing the sensation of pain.

• Calcium collects in the damaged muscle causing a reaction that leads to inflammation, resulting in pain.

• The build-up of lactic acid, a toxic waste product, was once thought to be the reason for DOMS. This theory has been scientifically disproved and it is now known that lactic acid clears from the system within an hour after exercise and therefore has no bearing on pain.

Another significant difference is duration and intensity. Pain from DOMS will gradually decrease and sometimes even eases as we move around, stretch or do a light exercise routine. But pain from an injury can be aggravated and increase when doing these same activities.

As we progress through our exercise programme the DOMS significantly reduces and recovery often takes less time.

The key to avoiding this problem is to plan a graduated exercise programme that allows you to adapt slowly. So, don’t give up but err on the side of caution when starting an exercise routine. No pain, no gain is not always the best way.

Kim Jackson is a UK-trained physiotherapist with over 20 years’ experience. She specialises in musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction including back pain and sciatica, stroke and other neuro conditions plus sports physiotherapy, having worked with local, regional and international athletes and teams treating injuries and analysing biomechanics to improve function and performance. She is registered with the Allied Health Council and is a member of PASL. She currently works at Bayside Therapy Services in Rodney Bay, O: 458 4409 or C: 284 5443; www.baysidetherapyservices.com

HEALTH

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AUGUST 25, 2018 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Woodruff: Got lump in throat telling of Trump inaccuracy

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eteran journalist Judy Woodruff says it affected her when she mentioned on air that President Donald Trump had said something that wasn’t accurate.

“The first time I had to say on the air the president had said something that we needed to point out was not accurate, I got a lump in my throat,” she told a TV critics meeting on Tuesday, July 31. “It’s not something that journalists are accustomed to

doing.”

“PBS NewsHour”, the nightly broadcast anchored by managing editor Woodruff, is careful about using the term lying in regards to Trump and other people in the news, she said.

“When you use the word ‘lie’ you’re saying someone said whatever they said with intention to mislead, to misrepresent,” she said.

“We can’t know what is in

someone’s mind, so we are much more comfortable when a situation presents itself, whether it’s the president or someone else who is an important political figure or someone in the news says something that cannot be borne out by the facts, can’t be borne out by evidence, then we say what they said was inaccurate and then we go on to explain what is accurate.”

Woodruff has noticed a

newfound collegiality between journalists competing to get the news out first in an era of a president who has called the media an enemy of the people and talks about fake news.

“I would say there is probably a little more solidarity among the press right now.

I think a number of reporters behind the scenes have come together to talk about how do we deal with this,” she said.

“We don’t want to get into a contest with the president. That’s not who we are.

Our job is to do our job, but at the same time, I think more and more reporters feel

Judy Woodruff, anchor and managing editor of “PBS Newshour”, takes part in a panel discussion during the 2018 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton, Tuesday, July 31, 2018, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

it’s important for us to stand up for the role of a free press in our society, that our democracy is as strong as it is because we have a free press, because we have a press that is dedicated to getting answers and getting facts and ultimately the truth,” Woodruff said.

--By BETH HARRIS, Associated

Ashely Nurse (far left) and Shai Hope (first from right) with El Dorado ladies at Coco Palm—the place to be for cricketers.

COCO PALM HOSTS CPL CRICKETERS AND CHEERLEADERS

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oco Palm welcomed the Caribbean Premier Cricket League (CPL) and three of the Caribbean cricket teams during the recent CPL 2018 Twenty20 tournament at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet.

Cricket fever was palpable with players and coaches making Coco Palm their base. Defending CPL champions Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR), owned

by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh, along with the Barbados Tridents and St Kitts Patriots, were hosted at the resort. Mark Ferguson, Coco Palm’s Managing Director said, “CPL and the three teams made Coco Palm their home during the week creating a fantastic atmosphere for all who enjoyed our strong Caribbean vibe and cuisine by Trini Chef Richardson.”

During the competition, CPL hosted a private party at Ti Bananne Caribbean Bar, sponsored by Digicel, El Dorado and Carib Beer, and supported by Peter & Company Ltd. DJ Hyper D spun live music.

Coco Palm has been home to many cricketers over the years with the roster now including TKR’s Captain Dwayne Bravo, teammate Brendon McCullum and Darren Bravo and Barbados Trident’s Captain Jason Holder with Martin Guptil and team mates.

THE STAR

august 25, 2018

www.stluciastar.com

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AUGUST 25, 2018 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

NOTICE TO CuSTOMERS

The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports authority (SLASPA) pursuant to Section 51 of the SLASPA Act, wishes to advise the owner/owners of the empty containers listed below, to make arrangements for the removal of said containers from the Castries Seaport Storage Facility by the 14th day following the date of this notice.

Failure to comply with this notice shall result in the loss of title of ownership.

Item

Container #

Size

1.

ILDU 0001606

20’

2.

ORIU 2701800

20’

For further information please contact the Director of Seaports at 457 – 6117.

Date

General Manager/CEO (Ag.)

PILOT BOAT CAPTAIN The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) is seeking a suitably qualified person to join its team in the Marine Department as a Pilot Boat Captain.

The primary objective of the Pilot Boat Captain is to use the Authority’s Pilot Boats to safely conduct pilot transfers onto and from vessels calling the Castries Seaport.

Education and Experience: • 4 CXC’s including English and Mathematics, Boat Masters License and two (2) years of boat handling experience OR • Secondary School Leaving Certificate, Boat Masters License and five (5) years of practical boat handling experience Skills: The Applicant must be a proficient boat handler, have basic computer and report writing skills, ability to work on own initiative and act decisively whilst working as part of a disciplined team, ability to remain calm and composed, ability to manage time effectively and have good communication, interpersonal and customer relations skills.

Personal Qualities: Honest, mature and responsible individual, ability to work independently and with a team, be level headed under pressure, dependable, adhere to policies and procedures and maintain an excellent punctuality and attendance record.

METHOD OF APPLICATION • Applications should be accompanied with certified copies of qualifications and should be addressed to: The Senior Manager Human Resources Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority P.O. Box 651 Manoel Street CASTRIES Email: vacancy@slaspa.com Applications must be marked “Application for the Post of Pilot Boat Captain.

Please note that only suitable applicants will be acknowledged.

THE STAR

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AUGUST 25, 2018

www.stluciastar.com

Gender equality should be priority in the Caribbean

he specific challenges facing Caribbean women were at the centre of attention during the 57th meeting of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean, which was held July 30-31, 2018 at ECLAC’s headquarters in Santiago, Chile.

Among the obstacles faced

by Caribbean women, countries noted the serious constraints faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) due to their middle-income country status, highly indebted situation, heavy dependence on tourism, and vulnerability to climate change and environmental hazards, that negatively impact policies and programmes aimed at advancing women’s autonomy.

In fact, despite efforts made by Caribbean countries, serious obstacles still remain in the subregion, including high rates of gender-based violence and the fact that gender occupational stereotypes and discriminatory practices in the labour market, often reinforced by the lack of recognition of the value of their domestic and care work, still characterize the labour market in the subregion.

These were some of the points raised by the Honorable Samantha Marshall, Minister of Social Transformation, Human Resource Development, Youth and Gender Affairs of Antigua and Barbuda, as she addressed a Caribbean panel at

the meeting.

Minister Marshall noted that in an effort to ensure that the conditions are favourable to eliminate inequality and provide all women with the opportunity in to make their own decisions, enjoy all human rights and to participate and contribute to socioeconomic development as equal citizens, “we need to advance a radical transformative agenda, that promotes transparent governance structures, improves the ease of doing business within our economy, lessens restrictive regulations, promotes an effective tax structure and tax collection that is well targeted, strengthens investment in public services, and fosters diversification of our economies with the aim of contributing to a more stable economic environment and social development”.

The Directors of the National mechanisms of the Advancement of Women in Saint Lucia and Suriname, respectively, Ms. Janey Joseph and Ms. Judith Karijodrono, added value to the discussion by sharing their major achievements while acknowledging challenges in their countries, in particular issues concerning women’s participation in the political and decision-making processes, unbalanced sharing of responsibilities between women and men in the care economy and unpaid domestic work, the existence of weak regulatory

and monitoring frameworks and the need for the collection of disaggregated data that will provide evidence-based approach to assess further progress and obstacles.

One of the major outcomes of the meeting was the creation of a Regional Fund in support of Women’s and Feminist Organizations and Movements, with the incorporation of Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Equator and Panama, as the first members of the Board of Directors of this fund.

The meeting was inaugurated by ECLAC Executive Secretary, Alicia Bárcena, who recognized the advances made on achieving gender equality in recent years, and encouraged member states to continue on this path. Bárcena also reiterated ECLAC’s call to action “Caribbean First” aimed at giving focused attention to the special needs of the Caribbean in all the work of the Regional Commission.

Climate change will be among the key themes addressed by the next Regional Conference on Women, which will take place in November 2019, in Santiago de Chile. The impact of extreme weather events on the economic autonomy of women in the Caribbean will therefore be discussed. Several preparatory meetings will take place in the Caribbean in order to ensure that the voices of all Caribbean women are heard.

SUSPENSION OF IMPORTATION ON ROUND-UP, TOUCHDOWN AND GLYPHOS

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he Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, acting on the advice of the Pesticides Board, has placed an immediate suspension on the importation into St. Vincent and the Grenadines of Round-Up, Touchdown and Glyphos and any other chemical containing the active ingredient glyphosate pending a technical review by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour.

A preliminary review was conducted by the Pesticides Board, which revealed that further research is needed regarding these listed chemicals. In the interim, a special technical committee

was established to advise on sustainable alternatives to the listed chemicals. This committee is expected to present its findings by October 1, 2018.

The Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute (CARDI), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) have been requested to provide support to the Ministry of Agriculture in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to conduct a full chemical analysis of these products.

The Ministry of Agriculture will launch a national sensitisation programme with all stakeholders within

the sector.

The Department of Labour takes this opportunity to remind farmers and farm workers of the duty of care needed while using all chemicals.

All employers must provide protective gear and a safe working environment for employees in accordance with the laws of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. Saboto Caesar, has called on all stakeholders to be appreciative of the suspension on the importation of these chemicals in light of the nation’s quest to promote a safe working environment and good agricultural health and food safety practices.

REGIONal

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The Bombshell is out RESTORED CONFIDENCE

leadership rce in May nted crime. ng to bring and gang other and he process. ces to avoid nts were in ntry’s main nder threat oving Saint robberies n the city. ually a war ay to being cian public he police to

AUGUST 25, 2018 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Remember Vernon Francois?

Just when most of us were convinced that Vernon Francois had decided to bite the bullet and suffer whatever the resultant consequences, not least of which that he had been paid off to lose his memory and his voice while going about like a superfluous nobody, the once beloved former police commissioner has popped up as if out of nowhere—like a magician’s rabbit. It turns out that far from idling his time in seclusion he was hard at work doing, well, who better to tell his own story. Following are the opening pages of Francois’ Restored Confidence, a book title obviously chosen with only the best intentions.

-----Rick Wayne **************************************

ice, the achievements of Vernon Francois ed in a more peaceful country where gang . No longer was the city unsafe after 6.00 ction in murders from a high of forty-four nt Lucia did not record any murder in the three months on the job. He left his post their chosen profession and a remarkable members of the general public. Public stored.

MY JOURNEY IN THE ROYAL SAINT LUCIA POLICE FORCE

perience as a member of the Royal Saint e he climbed the ranks through hard work e interest in the welfare of his colleagues f all - Francois adopted a community Commissioner of Police. This resulted in nship between the police and the Saint a significant feature of his tenure. There criminal elements; “Boots on the Street” ent the visibly increased presence of the e areas. His untiring efforts at professional ed by his colleague police officers and the

RESTORED

CONFIDENCE

MY JOURNEY IN THE ROYAL SAINT LUCIA POLICE FORCE

Vernon Francois Former commissioner of Police

Call for your Copy today

at Tel: 486-9800 or The STar Tel: 450-7827

BArnArd’S Hill, CAStrieS, SAint luCiA

(758) 518-5756/715-6837/287-1572

ADMISSION OPEN FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR CLASSES START ON

SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

COURSES OFFERED CORE CAPE SUBJECTS • Biology • Chemistry • mathematiCs • soCiology • CommuniCation studies • management of Business Compulsory humanities Courses inClude: • soft skills • puBliC speaking • proposal writing • sCholarly writing • researCh methods other optional Cape suBjeCts Based on Class numBers inClude: • law • aCCounting • tourism • integrated sCienCe

Restored Confidence

By Vernon Francois

D

uring my service in the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force I had this idea to write my complete autobiography upon my normal course of retirement.

As fate would have it, I did not survive my natural course in the public service. I cannot claim to have been surprised as, based on the experiences of my predecessor and some of my colleagues from the Caribbean region, I always felt the job of Commissioner of Police was transient.

Notwithstanding the transient nature of being Commissioner in a small island state like Saint Lucia, my departure was sudden and indeed controversial.

Following former Prime Minister Kenny Anthony’s inflammatory address to the nation concerning the Jamaican investigation into police operations in 2011, I had some decisions to make. My instinct was to stick around and fight to protect my character and integrity. I formed the view that some of the then prime minister’s pronouncements were defamatory and I should exercise an option to ventilate the matter in the courts. I had no doubt the truth was on my side. Through my career, I operated above board and was comfortable I acted in a professional manner. I knew that I spent my life fighting oppressive and nefarious behaviour with respect for human rights and human dignity at the forefront of my every interaction. I could have also taken to the media in defence of my character. I did not envisage any difficulty defending my actions before, during and after Operation

Restore Confidence.

I decided on none of the above courses of action. I did not take anyone to court; I did not jump up in defence of my character; I did not grant any interview to the media. I peacefully resorted to life as a private citizen and, whereas I wished my former colleagues all the best, I had no desire to get involved. The best way I could relate my story was not in the form of an autobiography, as I had envisaged, but to encapsulate my journey in the police force in a book aptly entitled Restored Confidence.

Whereas Restored Confidence may very well be of interest consequent to the events surrounding Operation Restore Confidence, I am extremely proud of my entire journey in the police department which, for all intents and purposes, commenced with my initial training in Barbados.

My involvement in policing activities, such as playing cricket for the police force plus my service to the Police Credit Union, Police Welfare Association and the Police Sports Club, were all significant to the journey. I also engaged in discourse on the dangers of policing and the unfortunate deaths on duty of three of my colleagues. An excellent opportunity was provided to commend my former colleague police officers for their tremendous efforts at restoring confidence in policing in Saint Lucia during my tenure as Commissioner of Police.

Another motivation for writing Restored Confidence was to challenge the irresponsible and altogether bogus address which was delivered by then Prime Minister Kenny Anthony on March 8, 2015. My response to various aspects of the address is intended to lay out the truth

of the events of 2011. I have also utilized the occasion to advance the political reasons behind the United States government’s imposition of Leahy Sanctions on Saint Lucia and the fact that the police department was sacrificed in the process.

At various stages in Restored Confidence I have made negative comments about some people whom I encountered during the course of the journey. I make no apologies for the interactions which I relate about those people. The statements I have made were more a function of particular episodes involving them, as opposed to blanket generalizations. In many cases I entertained a generally cordial relationship with those persons and I bear no ill feelings towards them. I have also steered clear of partisan politics during my discourse on various political issues.

Restored Confidence is also a tribute to many of my former police colleagues who played a significant part in my journey and who continue to believe in me and what we were trying to achieve.

It was an interesting and largely successful mission.

I wish them all the best as they continue on their own journey. It is not going to be an easy road but satisfaction can be derived through professionalism and respect for the rights of others. Their journey must, of necessity, be based on justice for all; not justice based on subjective criteria but an objective sense of right and wrong.

For information about availability and price of Restored Confidence, please see ad (top left) or contact the author through his Facebook page: Vernon Francois.

THE STAR

THE EASTERN CAIRIBBEAN SUPREME COURT IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE (PROBATE)

MULTIPLE POSITIONS Harry Edwards Jewelers has been a top-level duty-free retailer in St Lucia for over 18 years, specializing in luxury branded jewelry and watches, crystal, and accessories. With three locations island-wide, we are seeking dynamic personalities to join the team in multiple sales positions.

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AUGUST 25, 2018

SAINT LUCIA SLUHPB2013/0215 IN THE ESTATE OF Joel Scholastique Sidney aka Joel Sidney late of Bocage, Castries deceased

TO: Jody Alva Sidney Notice of Intention to make Application for Grant Durante Absentia Notice is given that after the expiration of fourteen (14) days Application will be made by AYSHA RAQUEL TIFFANIE DAVID to the registrar of the Supreme Court for a Grant Durante Absentia.

Dated this 20th day of August 2018 This document is filed by the law office of Veronica Barnard, Attorney at Law on behalf of the Applicant, whose address for service is No.10 Bridge Street, Castries, Saint Lucia, Telephone number 452-1772, Fax number 453-6245.

The court office is at La Place Carenage Jeremie Street, Castries telephone No. 468-7500 Fax. No. 468-7543. The office is open between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm Monday to Thursday and between 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Fridays except public holidays. The office can also be contacted via email sluhco@ eecourts.org

VACANCY DISTRIBUTION COMPANY INVITES APPLICATION FOR DRIVER. 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN DRIVING, VALID DRIVERS LICENCE, EXPRENCE IN DRIVING COMMERCIAL VEHICLE WILL BE PREFERED. APPLICANTS MUST BE 40 YEARS AND OLDER FROM THE SOUTH PLEASE SEND ALL APPLICATION TO: Warehouse C1F P O Box VF519 Vieux Fort LC12 201 St Lucia Or call Tel: 454-9445 between 9am – 4pm BEFORE AUGUST 31ST 2018

PROPERTY FOR SALE Property for sale in Soufriere 2600 Sq ft.

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Printed and published by STAR Publishing Co. (1987) Ltd., Rodney Bay Industrial Estate, Massade, Gros Islet, P.O. Box 1146, Castries, St. Lucia, W.I., Tel: (758) 450-7827 Fax: (758) 450-8690, Email: info@stluciastar.com Website: www.stluciastar.com